Coleburra climbs to best ram sale average for South Australia in 2026

A relatively new Poll Merino stud, but with decades of top line commercial breeding behind it, has enjoyed one of the best ram sale results of the South Australian selling season.

In its fifth annual on-property ram sale near Culburra, Coleburra Poll Merinos notched up the highest ram sale average in South Australia to date for 2026, with a full clearance of 90 13-month-old rams averaging an astounding $3912.

It was a huge result for the Ferguson family who sold 73 of 76 rams at their 2025 sale, to $4600, averaging $2120.

Many buyers were in the shed chasing the 'modern Merino', easy care sheep suitable for six month shearing and Responsible Wool Standard requirements, combined with good fat and muscle.

This was what lured new buyer Ryan Boot all the way from the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula, where he and wife Lisa farm under the Lake Hamilton Pastoral banner on her family's farm, 50 kilometres south of Elliston.

They run a 3000 ewe self-replacing Merino flock, with older and 'B grade' - "there in the frame, but not quite in the wool" - ewes mated to White Suffolk and Suffolk rams for prime lamb production.

Lake Hamilton purchased six rams, averaging $4333, saying they're chasing a modern Merino and had been following the stud for a few years before deciding to come across.

"We've just got to go where the sheep are that we want to breed ourselves," Mr Boot said.

"We're targeting that six-month shearing, early growth, fat, muscle and condition score."

Also impressed by what Coleburra had to offer were White Suffolk stud breeders Chris and Emily Rudiger, Elton Downs, Karoonda, who purchased the top-priced Lot 11 ram for $11,000 for use in their commercial self-replacing Merino flock.

At August 11, the twin-born ram - sired by Mumblebone 212410 - weighed 101 kilograms with MerinoSelect ASBVs in the top 5 per cent for yearling staple length (24.9) and top 20pc for yearling coefficient of variation (-1.9) and early breech cover (-0.6).

It had fleece figures of 18.3 for micron, a 17.3CV, 3.2 standard deviation and 99 per cent comfort factor.

"He's going to run in our commercial operation. We came here just wanting to buy the best ram we could and we thought he was very, very hard to fault, he's almost perfect," Mr Rudiger said.

"He's a flock improver that ram, that's for sure."

Coleburra principal Chase Ferguson was almost lost for words post-sale and blown away by the buyer support, saying the stud could offer up to 30 more rams next year to keep up with demand and ensure there is something for everyone.

"I'm shocked really. The depth through the sale is something we focused on and that came to fruition. The data didn't drop off right throughout," he said.

"I think more people in the industry are looking for data and that was proven today and by a couple of other studs that have had great results."

The Ferguson family had overseen an extensive artificial insemination program in their flock since 2001.

"We were in the Superior Wool syndicate using top end sires from around Australia, doing anywhere from 400 to 800 ewes a year so we felt we had a really good base to start the stud," he said.

Bidding barely slowed throughout the 90 ram catalogue, with four of the final seven rams still knocked down for $4000 or more.

Volume buyers included CJ&YM Butcher, Meningie, with eight rams, averaging $3937.

All buying six rams were Lake Hamilton Pastoral; Zacker Pastoral, Tintinara, averaging $3166; Smart Group, Keith, averaging $4250; and KD Day & Co, Padthaway, averaging $4166.

The sale was conducted by Spence Dix & Co and Elders, with Spence Dix & Co's Luke Schreiber and Jack Guy the auctioneers.

Mr Schreiber said the sale had exceeded anyone's expectations.

"I had a very good feeling going in that the rams would sell, but had no idea they were going to go that well," he said.

"It was a true indication of how even the rams were. There were so many comments about how consistent the rams were. The bulk of the rams were between $3000 and $5000 and people were prepared to pay that and see value in that."